(PSIP)
Psychedelic Somatic Integrative Psychotherapy Near Asheville, NC
“Where something becomes extremely difficult and unbearable, there we also stand already quite near its transformation.”
-Rainer Maria Rilke
There is increasing awareness that painful life experiences and trauma are stored in the body, and it is through the body that we heal those wounds.
Often what feels like our own failing or inability to handle life, is an adaptive response to past trauma, particularly from childhood. Anxiety, depression, and addictions may be the body’s solution to those difficult circumstances. Instead of treating the symptoms as the problem, PSIP aims to reduce the underlying cause.
The Process
Screening
We screen clients to ensure that they are a good fit for the work and that they will benefit from it.
Preparing
While building the therapeutic relationship, we review the trauma history, learn about the autonomic nervous system, and develop resources and solutions.
Practicing
We begin practicing body awareness without psychedelics to practice and build the neural pathways that allow the body to release the trauma.
PSIP
Regular 2-hour PSIP sessions are augmented with:
Somatic practices such as trauma-informed yoga and dance
Brief integration sessions
Learn More About PSIP
FAQs
How is this different from using cannabis or ketamine alone or recreationally?
Combining psychedelics with somatic therapy changes the emphasis of the experience. The therapist will direct your attention to what is happening in your body. This is combined with intentionally suppressing calming habits such as deep breaths, twitching, hand gestures and extraneous talking. The result is heightened awareness of the internal experience and increased pressure on the system which allows for the body to release the trauma naturally.
How is this different from other psychedelic therapy?
Currently, there is a wide range of psychedelic therapies available. PSIP is highly interactive and relational. It specifically targets trauma that is stored in the body, and is highly effective for early childhood attachment trauma.
How do I obtain the Ketamine, and is it legal?
Ketamine is a legal, prescribed drug. Clients will need to obtain a prescription through a psychiatrist. Cannabis (THCa) can be legally obtained by adults 21 and over at dispensaries in NC.
How many sessions will it take?
This question is difficult to answer since treatment depends on the amount and severity of the client’s trauma. PSIP is best integrated into a full therapeutic experience that includes talk therapy and a regular somatic practice such as yoga, qigong or dance.
Can I drive or work after my session?
Clients must wait to drive until they are no longer high. My office is located at the edge of a lake and a forest. I encourage clients to walk or sit in nature after the session while they “land.” Clients are generally able to work after they drive home.